Arthritis Society Canada

Staying Up-to-Date with Your Adult Vaccinations

Adults need vaccinations too. Find out why and which vaccines are important for you.

Staying Up-to-Date with Your Adult Vaccinations

Vaccination

 

Why do adults need vaccines?

Vaccines are not only for kids. Even as an adult, being up-to-date with your vaccines is a safe and effective way of avoiding illness from vaccine-preventable diseases, some of which you might become more vulnerable to as you age. Not only do vaccines protect you, but they help to prevent the spread of disease to those around you. This is especially true for individuals who are at a higher risk of getting vaccine-preventable diseases but are unable to receive certain adult vaccines, such as:

  • babies and children
  • people with a weakened immune system
  • pregnant women

You may also need additional vaccines as an adult if you:

  • never received them as a child and need to catch up
  • are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • need a booster shot to increase the protection from a vaccine you had a while ago
  • need protection against diseases that are more common in adults
  • need protection against diseases when travelling to other countries

If you are not sure whether you are up-to-date with your vaccines, talk to your health care provider.

Schedule for adult vaccines

The type and number of vaccinations needed can vary from person to person. Your health care provider can determine which vaccines you may need and when it is best to get them.

Your health care provider may recommend a vaccine based on your:

  • age
  • medical history
  • pregnancy status
  • occupational or lifestyle risks
  • travel plans
  • vaccine history

The following is a list of vaccine-preventable diseases, including information on when you should be vaccinated against them during adulthood:

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Who should be vaccinated and when?

Diphtheria
  • Everyone (once every 10 years)

Hepatitis A
  • Anyone wanting protection
  • Individuals with lifestyle, medical or occupational risks
  • Individuals exposed to others with the disease

Hepatitis B
  • Anyone wanting protection
  • Individuals with lifestyle, medical or occupational risks
  • Individuals exposed to others with the disease

Herpes Zoster (shingles)
  • Individuals 60 years of age and older (even those with a history of shingles)
  • May be given to individuals 50 to 59 years of age, or those with specific medical conditions

Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Females and males 9 to 26 years of age
  • Females and males 27 years of age and older who continue to be at risk of exposure

Influenza (flu)
  • Everyone (once every year during the fall season)

Measles
  • Individuals born after 1970 who have not been previously vaccinated or did not have the disease

Meningococcal
  • Individuals with specific medical conditions
  • Individuals in communal living situations (i.e., students, military personnel)

Mumps
  • Individuals who were not previously vaccinated or did not have the disease

Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Everyone (once in adulthood and during each pregnancy)

Pneumococcal
  • Individuals 65 years of age or older
  • Individuals between 18 and 64 years of age with a specific medical condition or in high-risk situations

Rubella (German measles)
  • Individuals who were not previously vaccinated or did not have the disease

Tetanus (lockjaw)
  • Everyone (once every 10 years)

Travel vaccines
  • Depends on the destination – Contact your health care provider, travel health clinic, local public health office, or visit the Government of Canada website for more information

Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Individuals who were not previously vaccinated or did not have the disease

You should review your immunization status on a regular basis. If you think you may need a certain vaccine, you can contact your health care provider for more information. By keeping up-to-date with your vaccines, you can protect yourself and the people around you.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Staying-Up-to-Date-with-Your-Adult-Vaccinations